Long Grove planners recommend child care plan, over objections of Buffalo Grove

The plan for an early childhood learning center in Long Grove passed a key test, despite the objections of neighbors in a Buffalo Grove subdivision and pushback from the village of Buffalo Grove itself.

Long Grove’s plan commission and zoning board of appeals, with only one no vote, recommended the village board approve a special use and approve a planned unit development for Children’s Lighthouse.

The village board is expected to hear the matter on July 28.

The proposed site has drawn concern from residents of the adjacent Crossings neighborhood, mainly because of traffic issues, but residents have also raised concerns about stormwater management, snow removal and the loss of trees.

It would be located at 0 Fremont Way, near what critics contend is a heavily congested area where Fremont Way, Route 53/Hicks Road and Old McHenry Road meet.

Attorney Pam Park spoke on behalf of the Crossings homeowners, telling commissioners 186 families and 30 employees entering and exiting twice a day will overburden roads.

The property is zoned for office/research.

Approval would depend on meeting several conditions, including getting a permit for access into the Crossings from Buffalo Grove.

During the meeting, Village Attorney Bob Pickrell revealed Buffalo Grove sent a letter to Long Grove objecting to the project, citing “profound” public safety concerns.

Village Manager Dane Bragg’s letter stated no application for access to Buffalo Grove roads has been filed, despite relying on village right-of-way.

“Accordingly, the village cannot issue access permits for the proposed development,” Bragg wrote.

Dan Shapiro, attorney for the applicants, Kristi and Brendan Noonan, said their team met with Buffalo Grove officials in June.

“We came out feeling encouraged,” Brendan Noonan said. Although nothing was resolved, he said expected the parties would continue to talk.

After the meeting, Kristi Noonan said she was surprised by the letter from the village.

“They were apprehensive, but it was a very solution-oriented meeting,” she said.

Noonan said her group intended to conduct an updated traffic study during the school year, now that Arlington Heights Road construction is finished.

Commissioners suggested moving the parking lot to help mitigate effects on the nearby neighborhood.

Commissioner Dave Perri remained concerned about the traffic issue and cast the only no vote. Chairwoman Anne Kritzmire, Magdalena Dworak, Derek Spychalski and Brett Smith voted in favor.